06/18/2026
“I wanted to give you an update about a dog that was rescued and adopted back in 2015 through your organization and Paddy's Paws in Wisconsin. That would make Stella one of the OGs from your early days of rescuing dogs to Wisconsin. It is with great sadness that I write this because I had to say good-bye to my dear little Stella this past weekend. We were together for 10 years, 7 months and 20 wonderful days. I am writing this to you because I want Stella's story to be heard because she had a full, fantastic life. Also, to say thank you to your organization for the years of happiness with Stella and to reinforce what you are doing impacts not only the lives of the dogs but their owners as well. You are doing a wonderful thing and I wanted you to know that.
Stella was found as a stray on the streets of Houston in the summer of 2015. As I was told, the shelter extended her deadline once because they thought she was adoptable. The owner of your organization just happened to visit the shelter on her deadline date and pulled her out of the shelter before they closed for the day. Truly, luck was on her side that day. After a bout with heartworm, Stella was medically cleared and able to make her journey to Wisconsin. She did not ride the van up but was put on flight to Chicago on October 9, 2015. A member of Paddy's Paws team picked her up from the airport and drove her home for the night. The next day, October 10, 2015, changed our lives forever as I met the volunteer and took her home.
We spent about a year together in Wisconsin until we moved to the State of Oregon in the Summer of 2016. Stella absolutely loved to be outside, going on adventures and southern Oregon proved to be the perfect place for a young, energetic dog. We made many trips to the coast, Stella swam in the Pacific Ocean (well up to her knees), camped in the Cascade Mountains, visited Crater Lake, among her many adventures that she accompanied me to. I decided to move back to family farm outside of Madison, WI in the Fall of 2018. Stella had her own 50 acre dog park to do all of her favorite things such as; chase farms cats, hunt for small rodents, run for the fun of it and her all-time favorite activity, digging. I swear that her main goal in life was to try to dig to China. She was the best watchdog ever and could hear a mouse fart.
Stella was a layered little dog and I believe her time on the streets had a forever impact on her. If a human was in her "pack", she was the sweetest dog ever. But if she did not know the person, it took her time to warm up to them. With Stella, her respect was earned and not given. I trusted her instinct. She hated anyone that resembled a homeless person with a passion, I do believe this was a learned behavior from her time on the streets.
I thought we had a few more years together with her being a small dog as she was aged around 12 years. I made one of the toughest decisions ever after a splenic mass was found and was internally bleeding. It was extremely difficult to say good-bye to my little Stella and I really miss her. But she truly did live by your motto... from street life to the sweet life!!! Oh yeah, she did visit 11 states and was the perfect travel companion.
Thank you again for doing what you do. When I am ready, I plan to adopt another street dog from Texas. I will be making a donation in the name of Stella to support your mission.”
Best regards,
Ian
